Working with similar SHP files

[Anonymous]

I am very new to working with shapefiles into AutoCAD Map so please excuse my ignorance or improper use of terms.  I have been able to figure out some things through various searches on this forum,  like how to use the FDO connection for importing.  However I'm still struggling with some things and wondering if I'm repeating unnecessary steps. 

I am building a topographic map that spans across multiple (4)- 7.5 minute quadrants.  Each quadrangle has its own shapefile associated with it but the attributes and feature classes are similar in each quadrant.  For example, each shapefile has a feature class called Elev_Contour, Roads, Waterbody, etc.  Is there a way to have the the four feature classes from each shapefile on the same layer or SHP Connection so they can share the same styles?  

[ChicagoLooper]

I see your are downloading topo map data from the USGS. In order for you to style the contours from all four quads together, you'd have to put all elevation shapefiles in the same folder. Same with roads, water bodies, flow lines, rail features, etc. etc. Once they are in the same folder, you can then connect to all four quad data simultaneously through FDO and then style them as one layer while inside the Map Task Pane. You could effectively dump all shapefiles from all four quads in a single folder then bring in all roads together, all water bodies together, all rail features together, etc. etc. so your layers would be separate, i.e. road layer, water body layer, rail layer etc.

[parkr4st]

alternative

mapimport the shp with data and mapexport all the contours with OD to data into one FDO file and use that file in your work. one file, one style, one .layer file

Dave

[Anonymous]

Each elevation contour shapefile from the quads have the same file name, so I either have to rename them with unique names or they over-write the existing file.  What do you mean by "put the files in the same folder"?